Figures on this page were checked in September 2026. Sources are listed with each figure. Fiscal years in Pakistan run from July to June.
The short answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How big is it? | Up to about 10,000 bagpipes a year from Sialkot, plus drums and folk instruments |
| Where is it made? | Sialkot (bagpipes and drums), Lahore and Peshawar (folk instruments) |
| Is the US a buyer? | Bagpipes sell to pipe bands and learners in the UK, the US, Canada and Australia. South Asian instruments sell to musicians and cultural centers worldwide. |
| Do you buy our goods? | No. We are your US partner, not a distributor. You sell directly to US buyers. |
| Our commission | 3 percent of paid orders from buyers we introduce |
Pakistan's musical instruments exports: the numbers
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sialkot's bagpipe output, industry estimate | Up to about 10,000 bagpipes a year | Sialkot bagpipe makers, as reported by WION |
What the numbers mean
Sialkot makers say their city produces more bagpipes by quantity than anywhere in the world, at a fraction of Scottish prices. Pipe bands and learners in the US are a natural market.
Where it is made
Sialkot makes bagpipes, drums and brass band instruments. Lahore and Peshawar make dholak, tabla, rabab and sarangi.
Where it is sold
Bagpipes sell to pipe bands and learners in the UK, the US, Canada and Australia. South Asian instruments sell to musicians and cultural centers worldwide. Across all products, the US bought $5.76 billion of goods from Pakistan in 2025, more than any other country.
Products we help you sell
- Bagpipes and parts
- Drums and percussion
- Brass and woodwind instruments
- Instrument cases and accessories
Who buys musical instruments in the US
- Music stores
- Pipe bands and band suppliers
- School music suppliers
- Online instrument stores
Large US channels in this field
- Music retailers such as Guitar Center and Sweetwater
- Pipe band and Highland games suppliers
- Music education suppliers for schools
- The NAMM Show, the main US music trade show
We name these companies and events to show the kind of buyer in this field. It does not mean we have a relationship with them.
A business partner, not a distributor
Many Pakistani musical instruments makers sell through distributors and importers. That can be good business, and we can help you win distributors as buyers. But when a distributor stands between you and the market, your name rarely reaches the end buyer and much of the value stays abroad.
We work differently. We are your US office and sales team, working for you:
| A distributor | Pak Export Partners | |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the goods | The distributor buys your goods and owns them | We never own your goods |
| Whose name the buyer sees | Often the distributor's brand, not yours | Your company and your brand |
| Who sets the resale price | The distributor, with its own markup | You set your price. We add no markup |
| How they earn | A margin on every unit they resell | A monthly fee plus commission only on paid orders |
| Who keeps the buyer list | The distributor | You. Every buyer contact is in your monthly report |
Because we do not buy your goods, we have no reason to push your price down. We win when you get paid.
US rules to know before you ship
- Instruments made with certain woods may need a Lacey Act declaration.
- Parts made from protected animal materials, such as real ivory or tortoiseshell, face strict US bans. Describe every material clearly.
- Every item or case must show the country of origin.
- Some woods used in instruments are protected under CITES and may need permits. Wood products may also need a Lacey Act declaration.
We are not a licensed customs broker or regulatory consultant. For work that needs a license, we coordinate licensed US partners and include them in your plan. See our US labeling guide and customs guide.
How we help
- A US company, Chicago address and US phone, so buyers deal with an American business
- A website and catalog with US sizes, US prices and quote forms, built to be found on Google
- Cold outreach to US buyers in this product line, with samples shipped from Chicago
- Buyer checks before you ship on credit
- Retail sales through Amazon USA or your own Shopify store, where it fits
We work with musical instruments makers and exporters anywhere in Pakistan, especially in Sialkot.
Commission for this industry
On our US Sales Desk plans, commission for musical instruments is 3 percent of paid orders from buyers we introduce. You pay nothing on orders that are not paid, and nothing on your existing buyers. See all prices.
Common questions
Who buys bagpipes from Pakistan in the US?
Pipe bands, band suppliers, music stores and online sellers.
Do instruments need special paperwork?
Instruments with certain woods may need a Lacey Act declaration. Describe all materials clearly.
Do you buy musical instruments from us and resell them?
No. We are not a distributor. We never own your goods. You sell directly to US buyers, and we earn a monthly fee plus commission only on paid orders.
Can you help us sell to US distributors?
Yes. Distributors are often good buyers. We find them, present your products and follow up, and you keep the relationship and set your price.